In line with a shared commitment to supporting Lebanon’s economic recovery through evidence-based policymaking, institutional development, and investment in young talent, the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the American University of Beirut (AUB), through its Government Engagement Platform (GEP), signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on October 20, 2026, at AUB, establishing a framework for sustained collaboration.
The signing ceremony brought together Dr. Amer Bisat, minister of economy and trade; Dr. Fadlo Khuri, AUB president; Dr. Zaher Dawy, AUB provost; and deans, faculty members, university colleagues, and ministry representatives.
The partnership reflects a shared conviction that Lebanon’s economic recovery requires strategic planning, reliable data, and strong public institutions. The collaboration brings together expertise from across AUB’s faculties, research centers, and institutes around three interconnected pillars: policy and research support, capacity building and institutional development, and student engagement and applied learning. Areas of cooperation include economic planning, trade policy, market analysis, competitiveness, and consumer protection, alongside support for data systems and digital transformation. Through research and analytical tools responsive to the ministry’s needs, the partnership aims to strengthen the evidence informing economic policy and decision-making.
The partnership also emphasizes specialized training, technical assistance, and professional development to strengthen the technical and analytical capabilities of ministry staff. Complementing this institutional support, students will have opportunities to contribute through internships, applied research, thesis work, and capstone projects.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Fadi El-Jardali, managing director of AUB’s Government Engagement Platform, emphasized the importance of translating the partnership into practical outcomes. “Our next task is to turn this agreement into clearly defined priorities, practical projects, and tangible results,” he said. He highlighted GEP’s role in connecting public institutions’ needs with AUB’s expertise and supporting sustained collaboration around national priorities.
AUB President Khuri highlighted the Ministry of Economy and Trade’s strategic role in shaping Lebanon’s future. He emphasized that working with the ministry matters not only for the economic levers it controls but also for its potential influence on the country’s long-term plan.
Minister Bisat underscored the importance of investing in young people and creating opportunities for them to remain in Lebanon and contribute to its economy. “Let them actually be part of this productive economy,” he said, linking this ambition to a broader vision for Lebanon rooted in the country’s competitive advantage.
This MoU marks an important step in strengthening collaboration between government and academia, placing research, institutional capacity, and student engagement at the service of Lebanon’s economic priorities. By connecting academic expertise with the ministry’s policy and operational needs, the partnership aims to translate knowledge into practical contributions to economic recovery and long-term development.
About AUB
Founded in 1866, the American University of Beirut bases its educational philosophy, standards, and practices on the American liberal arts model of higher education. A teaching-centered research university, AUB has more than 800 full-time faculty members and a student body of over 9,700 students. AUB currently offers more than 140 programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, MD, and PhD degrees. It provides medical education and training to students from throughout the region at its Medical Center, which includes a full-service 365-bed hospital.
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